⚖️ City comparison
New York vs San José
Thinking of leaving New York for San José? Here is how life in San José, Costa Rica compares with New York on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- San José is 67% cheaper: $1,991 vs $5,970 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in San José: $959 vs $4,285 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- San José has more pleasant weather: 11 pleasant months a year vs 6.
- San José is warmer: highs average 14°F more across the year (coldest-month high 75°F vs 41°F in New York; hottest 82°F vs 88°F).
- Residents rate New York safer: a safety index of 49 vs 44 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Internet is faster in New York: 390 vs 252 Mbps median download.
- To live in San José you'd need a visa: Costa Rica offers the Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) ($3,000/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇺🇸 New York | 🇨🇷 San José |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 53 | 69 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $5,970 | $1,991 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $4,285 | $959 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,685 | $1,032 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 6 | 11 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 41–88°F | 75–82°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 49/100 (residents) | 44/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 390 Mbps | 252 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Official language | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | Moderate |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | In the US | ~2.5h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 7 h | 7 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | You live here | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Not needed | Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | US tax as now | 🟢 Friendly · Local income only, top 25% |
Best months to be there
🇺🇸 New York
3 best months
🇨🇷 San José
12 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: New York climate · San José climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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